Hundreds in Crawley sign up to new energy scheme

More than 400 people have signed up to an energy scheme which could lead to cheaper bills for customers.

Crawley Borough Council has teamed up with iChoosr to conduct an energy auction which it hopes will save residents an average £130 on their energy bills.

The auction would see energy companies offer their best prices for people’s custom, meaning the more people who signed up, the better the deal.

So far, 410 people have registered – and there are only three weeks left to join them.

Cllr Colin Lloyd, Cabinet member for environment, said: “As a council we really want to help improve quality of life for our residents.

“Helping people stay warm at reasonable cost is important to us.

“This switching scheme offers significant savings and I urge everyone to consider getting involved – after all, the more households who switch the better the deal for everyone taking part.”

A council spokesman said registered residents would be contacted by iChoosr with information about the winning bid and the new tariff.

She added: “Personal details will only be passed to the successful company if residents are happy with the offer and want to proceed with setting up their 12-month contracts, featuring tariffs which can’t be found on the ‘high street’ or online.”

The auction is free to register for and includes anyone using a key meter system – although the spokesman warned savings for those using that system may not be as great.

Encouraging people to take part in the energy switch scheme, she added: “Gas and electricity bills have more than doubled in the last seven years yet, with a growing number of energy companies and confusing tariffs, only a small number of people change supplier to reduce costs.”

To register an interest in the auction, log on to the council’s website www.crawley.gov.uk/energyswitching by February 2.

Alternatively, contact 01293 438000.

The auction will take place on February 3 and there is no obligation to accept the offer once the auction is complete.

iChoosr has organised similar schemes in The Netherlands and Belgium and has now moved to the UK.

The company said some 900,000 people had registered with earlier schemes.